checking in on the wardens
As a former game warden and even now as the outdoornewsguy it’s inevitable people have warden questions, stories or opinions. So with that let’s check up on some recent game warden activity across the US.
A Newton County(Texas) game warden observed a vehicle driving extremely erratically. After finally stopping, a Newton resident exited the vehicle with no shirt on and with blood covering his face and chest. The subject advanced on the game warden’s patrol vehicle where he was quickly placed into custody. A small bag of suspected marijuana was recovered from the vehicle. While transporting the subject to the jail, he attempted to eat the baggy by retrieving it with his mouth from the console of the patrol truck. The subject was charged with DWI, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence and assault on a public servant.
I can hear the complaints from the back of the hall as I type, “why are the game wardens worrying about that stuff? Don’t they have enough to do?” Yes, the do have hunting, fishing and trapping regulations to enforce and that keeps them busy, but in most states they are licensed law enforcement officers and if an apparent crime or the safety of citizens is in jeopardy, you’ll be relieved to know the game warden was available to assist.
Do you want the game warden to pass on by and continue with his patrol? What if the subject causes an accident and kills himself or others? I guess in a cynical tone, then it would’ve been okay to halt the activity? Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. A tip of the hat for keeping all citizens safe. And hopefully you can appreciate there’s no sure method to determine which drunk driver should be stopped to prevent further harm.
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Meanwhile in California a judge has thrown the book at a notorious poacher. Similar to speeding, or selling drugs when a poacher is caught it’s hard to believe it’s the first time or the only illegal hunting that has taken place. With that in mind a small fine is hardly a deterrent, in fact most just factor in the number of years they have operated undetected and consider any fine to be factored in as the cost of doing business and a small hurdle. Not often enough are heavy fines handed out to change the minds of poachers.
….incident sparked an investigation that led to the arrest of someone who the Department of Fish and Game called one of California’s most abusive poachers. His conviction this month resulted in a court ordering some of the most severe punishments ever handed out for illegal deer killing.
…was found guilty and sentenced, according to the DFG report: Rodes received a $10,000 fine, 90 days in county jail, three years probation with no hunting allowed and a requirement to attend a hunter-education class.
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Indiana Conservation Officers have been involved in the recovery of drowning victims and I can relate from experience working on a body recovery is about the most heart wrenching task for anyone. No, game wardens are not ER doctors, highway patrol officers or morticians. Sure they work around death, but searching for drowning victims is still etched in my mind as one of the most emotionally draining processes. Many times searching in inclement weather and terrain, which is why game wardens would be called in with ATVs, boats and high mountain search gear. With friends and family hanging on every word and movement, the day’s drag on and the longer recovery operations multiply exponentially as time adds on. But the closure afforded friends and family of the victim push all in involved to endure. Thanks to the Indiana CO’s for all they’ve done.
Conservation Officer Gene Davis says the body was recovered about three-quarters of a mile from Porter Beach, where Palomar was swimming with his family Saturday afternoon.
Three helicopters, seven boats and up to 60 divers participated in the search.
Palomar’s death follows the drowning of a 14-year-old boy in the Indiana Dunes area on July 13. Davis says both drownings occurred at times of rough waves and strong rip currents.
There is nothing dull about the work of a game warden every day and week creates new stories and along with that some misconceptions about the work of your conservation officers and game wardens. My promise is I’ll always be more than willing to try to explain why….not that you’ll agree, but I will never shy away from the discussion.